I haven't posted in forever! We've had a good summer. Lots of baseball,yard work, and trying to keep kids busy. We've spent time with family, camping(not me, I'm not a camper), Owls games, b-day parties(lots of summer ones)etc.
Titus and I took the kids to Cove Fort for the 4th. I had never been there. It was great! I highly recommend it! I love history and all stories of strong faithful people. We did think it would be kind of cool to raise a family in a fort if it was one you weren't being shot at. The Hinkleys got along with the indians so it was a safe place.
Go there if you get a chance. The missionaries there love to tell stories. They took a lot of time with us showing my kids all sorts of the things kids did to stay busy back then. Man did they stay busy! My kids should not be complaining!
We went to Piute fishing after. Saebra caught the only fish.
It was a great time!

I haven't blogged for a while, but since I don't have a journal and I can't quit thinking about some things, I decided I would blog.
Our best friends, Tiffany and Rhett, live in Texas. They have been through a few hurricanes. They have been evacuated, had some damage at their home, and just been inconvenienced and frustrated before. Then Hurricane Ike surprised them with all the damage they are now dealing with. If I went by what I have heard on the news I would have never known anything happened to Bridge City, Texas. Well, Bridge City was under 4 feet of water and more in some places. Which is more than enough water to ruin everything in your home and in some peoples case, the whole home! They now are basically starting from scratch with their home other than before you can start to rebuild, you have to do all the clean-up. There is also all the time put into making sure you get rid of all the mold. Since it is so humid there, that is tricky and very time consuming!
Everything inside the house is ruined. What few things they have tried to save, have ended up moldy and ruined on the front lawn for lack of any way to wash or get to all of them in time.
Tiff has only the clothes she evacuated with, but like the unselfish mother she is, she took more things for her kids than for herself.
They have a big family here in Utah, but no one in Texas to help them. We have no idea how to help them! Some of their fam is going out soon, but the house is just sitting drying out. They do have alot of clean-up outside, and lots of shopping to do(if the insurance pays soon)!
They need everything! They are like newlyweds just starting out, but with two kids!
What is so amazing about them, is they still can find the things that they have been blessed to have through all of this! She will be telling me all the things that keep going wrong(to me, nothing is going right for them)but then she will be able to name some blessing they have had too.
I always have looked up to them for all they have been through, and how well they handle their trials. They have had more than thier share of trials, and now this!
I can't quit thinking and praying for them. I know they will make it through this, and I definitely can learn alot from them. I just wish we could do more than send them a gift card to Walmart! It is so frustrating!
I talk to her and I know I don't say the things I should say. I can't seem to express to her how proud I am of her and Rhett! What a great example they have been to us. How much I miss them and wish we were closer so we could do something! That I wish we just had lots of $ to give them to help out with all they are needing.
I am grateful though that they are safe and healthy! I just have to remember that!

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!!!

I am usually sad to send my kids back to school. Not this year!! I am sick of being a ref for all the arguments, listening to how bored they are, cleaning up after them every 10 minutes, and being asked if we can go swimming(and get crypto, thankfully we didn't)!
I was as excited for them to wear their new clothes as they were since the boys hardly ever combed their hair or wore anything nice for 3 months!
I took a couple of the mandatory photo's that I think everyone does before Tanner and Saebra went to school, but didn't get TJ, the cool 8th grader before he left. So his was taken after school and he obvioulsy wasn't very cooperative. He still looks cute though.
They were all pretty excited to see friends and go back. Saebra was the only one that admitted it. Everyday she would squeal and yell "I am so excited!" I remember when I felt that way about school. I hope she stays that way a long time!

Saebra's birthday!

Our little Sarbra Sue Loubie Pooh(only one of the many nicknames she has) is 6! Here are some pics of her family b-day party. We haven't done a friend one yet. I am trying to get out of that by just taking her and a friend somewhere!
Some of my favorite things about Saebra are,
she is so loving. She loves to be held! Even though she is as tall as an eight year old so it cant be that comfortable, she likes to be held and snuggled!
She has a beautiful smile! She smiles most of the time!
She tries very hard at everything she does! She is so smart! Saebra is the sweetest little girl!
She loves to look her best! She has had an opinion on what to wear and how to do her hair since she was 2! That is no joke either!
She is a real princess too! I read her a book about how we are all princes and princesses because we are children of a King. She has never forgotten it and loves that book! She also expects us to treat her like royalty, and we usually do!
We love her!

This is all the emotion we get!

TJ's birthday

I have a teenager!!! TJ turned 13 on Tues. I can't believe he is that old, which makes me kind of old!
We had family over after we went to his baseball game. TJ doesn't show alot of emotion, ever! If you don't know him very well you would think he didn't care too much for anything he got. He really did. He loved it all and told everyone thanks a ton of times. He just hardly lets a big grin cross his face, but when he does,he can't stop giggling or smiling.
He got lots of money, a new skateboard, a bigger amp for his guitar(with headphones for me). It is getting harder for our family to figure out what to get him. You can't just go to any store and find him anything. There are particular things now he wants. He has always been kind of that way though. I am just glad he is such a pleasant resposible kid!
He always obeys and tries to please. He has always been so responsible!!! We are always amazed at how on top of everything he tries to be. He is great in school, and never gets in trouble there or at home. He is the perfect example to his younger bro and sis!!! I need to remember to tell him these things more. I think I just forget how he needs to hear them, and hear how proud I am of him! Sometimes I just take it for granted, that he is as great as he is. He has to know it, but he needs to hear it too. So, I hope you read this T. You will probably be embarrassed, but oh well! We love you and are proud of you! Happy Birthday!